Newberry joins the Raiders

It’s cool to see longtime 49ers center Jeremy Newberry get another shot at reviving his career. He’s a Bay Area native, a former Cal star, and Newberry said he wanted to play for the Raiders when the 49ers made it clear he would be a free agent.

That deal was finalized Tuesday. Newberry got $1.5 million, with no bonus, so the Raiders risk nothing if Newberry’s knee problems flare up again and he can’t play.

What he gives the Raiders is leadership. Newberry is a great locker room guy. He’s tight with offensive line coach Tom Cable, who coached him at Cal.

Plus, he’s stoked to be a Raider, which you have to like.

“I hope I can show the other guys that you have to be able to trust the guy next to you and you have to work your butt off in practice. I’m going to try to bring that mentality. And maybe some toughness,” Newberry told the Chronicle Tuesday afternoon. “This is huge for me.”

Coach Lane Kiffin likes Newberry’s attitude, and Newberry said the two really hit it off when they met on Monday. “I like where he’s taking the team,” Newberry said.

“In researching and evaluating Jeremy’s background and history, it became obvious that he is a perfect fit for the Raiders right now,” Kiffin said in a release. “He is an intense competitor and definitely understands what being a team player is all about.”